Opening/closing device that opens and closes opening/closing member, and image reading apparatus

Abstract

An image reading apparatus includes a housing; an opening/closing member that is switchable between a first position in which it covers the housing and a second position in which it uncovers the housing via pivoting about a pivot shaft; a document table that carries a document and is covered or uncovered by the opening/closing member; and a reading part that reads the document mounted on the document table. A bearing that receives the pivot shaft of the opening/closing member has a guide portion that guides the pivot shaft toward the inside of the housing when the opening/closing member is pivoted from the first position to the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image reading apparatus comprising:
 a housing includes a document table that reads a document; 
 an opening/closing member includes a cover member and a pivot shaft portion protruding from the cover downward in the vertical direction; 
 the pivot shaft portion includes a pivot shaft; 
 the cover member that is switchable between a first position in which it covers the housing and a second position in which it uncovers the housing via pivoting about a pivot shaft; 
 wherein the pivot shaft is movable in an up and down direction inside of the housing and 
 a bearing that receives the pivot shaft has a guide portion disposed within the housing that guides the pivot shaft toward the inside of the housing when the cover member is pivoted from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide portion has such a shape that it guides the pivot shaft downward, toward the inside of the housing. 
     
     
       3. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a movement part that moves the pivot shaft into the guide portion when the opening/closing member is pivoted from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       4. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the movement part includes a guiding surface extending toward the inside of the housing, and a guided portion that pivots with the pivot shaft and comes into contact with the guiding surface to be guided toward the inside of the housing when the opening/closing member is pivoted from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       5. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the movement part includes a guiding surface extending toward the inside of the housing; and a projection provided on the pivot shaft and coming into contact with the guiding surface to guide the pivot shaft toward the inside of the housing when the opening/closing member is pivoted from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       6. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a restriction part that restricts movement of the pivot shaft toward the outside of the housing when the opening/closing member is pivoted from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       7. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second position of the opening/closing member is maintained by contact between the pivot shaft and an inner upper part of the guide portion. 
     
     
       8. The image reading apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a fulcrum portion that pivots with the pivot shaft; and 
 a fulcrum support portion with which the fulcrum portion comes into contact when the opening/closing member is pivoted from the first position to the second position, 
 wherein the contact between the pivot shaft and the inner upper part of the guide portion is achieved by upward displacement of the pivot shaft caused by pivoting of the opening/closing member about the fulcrum portion. 
 
     
     
       9. An opening/closing device that opens and closes an opening/closing member, the device comprising:
 a housing; and 
 an opening/closing member includes a cover member and a pivot shaft portion protruding from the cover downward in the vertical direction; 
 the pivot shaft portion includes a pivot shaft; 
 the cover member that is switchable between a first position in which it covers the housing and a second position in which it uncovers the housing via pivoting about the pivot shaft, 
 wherein the pivot shaft is movable in an up and down direction inside of the housing and 
 a bearing that receives the pivot shaft has a guide portion disposed within the housing that guides the pivot shaft toward the inside of the housing when the cover member is pivoted from the first position to the second position, 
 wherein the guide portion has such a shape that it guides the pivot shaft downward, toward the inside of the housing, 
 wherein a movement part that moves the pivot shaft into the guide portion when the cover member is pivoted from the first position to the second position is provided, and 
 wherein the pivot shaft contacts the guide portion and moves along the guide portion as the cover member is pivoted between the first and second positions.